Gliding or rolling board

ABSTRACT

A gliding or rolling board, having, in height, a first reinforcement, a second reinforcement, and a core located between the reinforcements. The core has a matrix made from a filler material, at least one insert being housed in the matrix, the insert having at least one mechanical property greater than that of the matrix, which property can be the tensile strength or the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.02.12435, filed Oct. 3, 2002, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference thereto in its entirety and the priority ofwhich is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to the field of gliding or rolling boardsadapted to support a user's feet. Such boards are used, for example, forsnowboarding, water skiing, skateboarding, or for other sports oractivities.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] A board according to the prior art has a length measured along alongitudinal direction of the board between a first end and a secondend, as well as a width and a height. Generally, the board has, alongits height, a lower reinforcement, an upper reinforcement, and at leastone core located between the lower reinforcement and the upperreinforcement. The board also has, from the first end to the second end,a first end zone, a first intermediary zone, a first receiving zone, acentral zone, a second receiving zone, a second intermediary zone, and asecond end zone.

[0006] As known, the core extends throughout all of the zones of theboard. The physical constitution of the core directly influences themechanical properties of the board, as well as its cost.

[0007] Certain cores are made with materials having a low mechanicalstrength, or resistance, such as traction strength, and a low cost.These materials can be a plastic cellular foam, such as a polyurethanefoam. Such a core is technically easy to manufacture and inexpensive. Itallows lowering the cost for manufacturing a board, and essentiallyfulfills a function of filling the volume between the reinforcements.

[0008] Other cores are made from materials having a higher mechanicalstrength but also a higher cost. These materials can be made of wood,used in the form of juxtaposed strips, or made of wood core plywood.Such a core is technically more complicated to manufacture and moreexpensive. It increases the cost for manufacturing a board, but it givesit a good capability for storing and returning the energy thatoriginates from a deformation of the board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An objects of the invention is to configure the core so that, onthe one hand, it,is capable of storing and returning a large quantity ofenergy at least in certain cases and, on the other hand, it isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture. This involves optimizing the costto mechanical properties ratio.

[0010] To this end, the invention proposes a gliding or rolling boardhaving a length measured along a longitudinal direction between a firstend and a second end, a width measured between a first edge and a secondedge, and a height measured between a lower or gliding surface and anupper surface, the board having, in height, namely a firstreinforcement, a second reinforcement, and at least one core locatedbetween the first reinforcement and the second reinforcement, the boardalso having, from the first to the second end, a first end zone, a firstintermediary zone, a first receiving zone, a central zone, a secondreceiving zone, a second intermediary zone, and a second end zone.

[0011] The core of a board according to the invention has a matrix madefrom a filler material, the matrix having at least one cavity, at leastone insert being housed in the cavity of the matrix, in a predeterminedzone of the board, the insert having at least one mechanical propertygreater than that of the matrix, which property can be the tensile orcompressive strength, the bending strength, the elastic limit, or thelike, so as to locally improve the mechanical properties of the board.

[0012] Each insert is housed in the core to locally improve themechanical properties thereof.

[0013] For example, a central longitudinal insert, extending from thefirst receiving zone to the second receiving zone, improves thecapability of the board to store and return the energy related to abending along a transverse axis.

[0014] A lateral longitudinal insert, extending along an edge, improvesthe capability of the board to negotiate a curve on hard surfaces, suchas ice.

[0015] Certain specific capabilities are therefore imparted to theboard, which are related to the localization of the inserts, combinedwith a control of the manufacturing costs related to the use of aneconomical matrix. The invention optimizes as much as possible thetechnology of the core and the manufacturing costs.

[0016] Also an object of the invention is a method for manufacturing agliding or rolling board, in which the core has a matrix made from afiller material, with at least one insert housed in the matrix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will bebetter understood from the following description, taken with referenceto the attached drawings showing, by non-limiting examples, how theinvention can be embodied, and in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board, according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-section along the line II-II of FIG. 1;.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a cross-section along the line III-III of FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a cross-section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 3, according toa second embodiment of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 2, according toa third embodiment of the invention;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a cross-section along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Although the following description relates to snowboards, it isto be understood that it also applies to other boards adapted tosporting activities, as mentioned hereinabove.

[0027] The first embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 1-4.

[0028] As known and as shown in FIG. 1, a snowboard 1 has a lengthmeasured along a longitudinal direction L, between a first end 2 and asecond end 3. The board 1 also has a width measured along a transversedirection, between a first lateral edge 4 and a second lateral edge 5,as well as a height measured between a lower or gliding surface 6 and anupper surface 7.

[0029] The transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection L and parallel to the lower surface 6.

[0030] The board 1 also has, from the first end 2 to the second end 3, afirst end zone 8, a first contact line W1, a first intermediary zone 9,a first receiving zone 10, a central zone 11, a second receiving zone12, a second intermediary zone 13, a second contact line W2, and asecond end zone 14.

[0031] Each receiving zone 10, 12 is provided to receive a device forretaining a user's foot. The devices, not shown, can be affixed to theboard 1 by means, such as screws. Each receiving zone 10, 12 is providedto this end with threaded orifices 15.

[0032] Each of the contact lines W1, W2 is a line that is substantiallytransverse to the board 1, in an area of which the lower surface 6contacts a planar surface when the board 1 rests on the surface withoutan outside influence.

[0033] The height of the board 1 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 2.

[0034] From the lower surface 6 to the upper surface 7, the board 1 hasa sole 20, a first reinforcement 21, a core 22, a second reinforcement23, and a protective layer 24.

[0035] The sole 20 is manufactured, for example, with a plastic materialcontaining polyethylene. The protective layer 24 is manufactured, forexample, with a plastic material containing acetyl-butadiene-styrene.

[0036] Each of the reinforcements 21, 23 is preferably includesresin-impregnated fibers. The fibers can be made with any material, orwith any combination of materials, such as glass, carbon, aramid, metal,or other material.

[0037] The reinforcements 21, 23 and the core 22 form a sandwichstructure that extends along at least 50% of the surface of the board,and preferably substantially along the entire surface. The core 22substantially occupies the space demarcated between the reinforcements21, 23 and maintains the distance between the reinforcements 21, 23.

[0038] According to the invention as shown in FIGS. 24, for example, thecore 22 has a matrix 30 made from a filler material, an insert 31 beinghoused in the matrix 30, the insert 31 having at least a mechanicalproperty greater than that of the matrix, which property can be thetensile or compressive strength, the bending strength, the elasticlimit, or the like.

[0039] The matrix 30 extends substantially along the entire surface ofthe board 1, i. e., lengthwise between the first end 2 and the secondend 3, and widthwise between the first lateral edge 4 and the secondlateral edge 5.

[0040] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the insert 31is arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction. The matrix 30connects together the first reinforcement 21 and the secondreinforcement 23. A through cavity 32 is provided in the matrix 30 toreceive the insert 31. The shapes of the cavity 32 and the insert 31,according to the invention, can be substantially the same, so as toensure a certain continuity of the core 22. However, the invention isnot to be considered limiting in this respect.

[0041] In this case, the insert 31 is shown in the form of an elongatedelement that extends continuously from the first receiving zone. 10 tothe second receiving zone 12. The insert 31 is oriented substantiallyalong the longitudinal direction L of the board 1. The insert 31 islocated substantially halfway between the first lateral edge 4 and thesecond lateral edge 5.

[0042] In a plane, substantially parallel to the lower surface 6 or tothe upper surface 7, according to FIG. 3, the insert 31 has arectangular cross-section, for example. Its length is preferablycomprised between 30% and 80% of that of the board 1, and its width iscomprised between 10% and 70% of that of the board 1.

[0043] In a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the lowersurface 6 or to the upper surface 7, according to FIG. 2, the insert 31has a rectangular cross-section, for example. Similarly to the matrix30, given that the cavity 32 is a through cavity, the insert 31 connectsthe first 21 and second 23 reinforcements together. This allows for acontinuous framing of the threaded orifices 15.

[0044] Instead of having a parallelepipedic form, as in the case ofFIGS. 2 and 3, the insert 31 according to FIG. 4 has a corrugatedsurface in a central longitudinal plane substantially perpendicular tothe lower surface 6 or to the upper surface 7. This undulated surfacesuccessively has a first boss 33, a central recess 34, and a second boss35. The bosses 33, 35 and the central recess 34 correspond to thereceiving zones 10, 12 and to the central zone 11 of the board 1,respectively. In fact, the receiving zones 10, 12 are raised withrespect to the central zone 11 and the intermediary zones 9, 13. Thus,the receiving zones 10, 12 are sufficiently thick to receive the screwsfor attaching the retaining devices. The undulated surface follows theprofile of the board.

[0045] The matrix 30 is preferably made from a plastic foam, such as apolyurethane foam. The matrix 30 can be constructed otherwise. Forexample, the matrix could be constructed with a plastic material loadedwith low density particles.

[0046] In any case, the matrix 30 has a reduced density, such as between0.1 kg/dm³ and 0.6 kg/dm³. Thus, the matrix 30 contributes to reducingthe mass of the core 22 and, consequently, that of the board 1.

[0047] As for the insert 31, it can be made from a material containingwood. This can be plywood, wood core plywood, a solid piece, ajuxtaposition of solid pieces, or other material. The fibers of the woodcan be oriented, according to the invention, in the lengthwise directionof the board. The insert 31 can be made otherwise, for example, with aplastic material reinforced with fibers, such as glass, carbon or aramidfibers; or any other material having the properties for storing andreturning energy, or other properties desired, Again, according to theinvention, the fibers of the insert 31 can be oriented in the lengthwisedirection of the board.

[0048] The density of the insert 31 can be comprised between 0.2 kg/dm³and 1.2 kg/dm³, or approximately therebetween.

[0049] A process for manufacturing the board 1 according to theinvention will be described hereinafter.

[0050] Such process includes manufacturing the core 22, as well asassembling the constitutive elements of the board.

[0051] The manufacture of the core 22 includes arranging the insert 31in a first mold that has the form of the core 22, and then making thematrix 30 by injecting plastic foam into the mold. The foam extendsabout the insert 31 to form the core 22 therewith. It can be provided toadd two gluing films in the mold, so as to cover the core 22 on bothsides.

[0052] Assembling the constitutive elements of the board 1 includesarranging, in a first mold, a stack that includes the sole 20, the firstreinforcement 21, the core 22, the second reinforcement 23, and theprotective layer 24. Next, a rise in temperature and pressure affixesthe elements together.

[0053] Other manufacturing processes could be provided. The oneaccording to the invention has the advantage of requiring few successiveoperations, which contributes in reducing the production times.

[0054] The board 1 manufactured according to the invention is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture. This is due to the fact that its core 22 iseconomical. The matrix 30 is made in one single phase, and the foamconstituting it is inexpensive. The insert 31 has reduced dimensionscompared to those of the board, and it also has a simple geometry. Inparticular, the shape of the insert is quick to carry out.

[0055] The board 1, according to the first example, with its centrallongitudinal insert 31, is well-adapted for achieving acrobatic moves,particularly in cases where the board 1 must store and return energy bybending along a transverse axis. The insert 31 acts like a blade-shapedspring. Thus, the board 1 benefits substantially from the technicaladvantages of a wooden core while substantially having the economicaladvantages of a foam core. The core 22 uses the quantity of wood that isstrictly necessary and arranged where appropriate for obtaining thedesired behavior in steering.

[0056] The second embodiment of the invention is described hereinafterby means of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0057] For reasons of convenience, it is primarily the differences withrespect to the first example that are shown. In this second embodiment,the inserts are arranged along the edges of the core.

[0058] A board 50 extends longitudinally between a first end 51 and asecond end 52, transversely between a first lateral edge 53 and a secondlateral edge 54, and in height, between a lower surface 55 and an uppersurface 56.

[0059] Again, the board 50 has, from the first end 51 to the second end52, a first end zone 57, a first intermediary zone 58, a first receivingzone 59, a central zone 60, a second receiving zone 61, a secondintermediary zone 62, and a second end zone 63.

[0060] The board 50 has, preferably in height, a sole 70, a firstreinforcement 71, a core 72, a second reinforcement 73, and a protectivelayer 74.

[0061] According to the invention, the core 72 of the second embodimenthas a matrix 80 made from a filler material, a first lateral insert 81and a second lateral insert 82 being housed in the matrix 80. Each ofthe lateral inserts 81, 82 has at least a mechanical property greaterthan that of the matrix 80, which property can be the tensile orcompressive strength, the bending strength, the elastic limit, or thelike.

[0062] Again the matrix 80 extends substantially along the entiresurface of the board 50, i.e., lengthwise between the first end 51 andthe second end 52, and widthwise between the first lateral edge 53 andthe second lateral edge 54.

[0063] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the matrix80 connects together the first reinforcement 71 and the secondreinforcement 73. A first non-traversing cavity 83 and a secondnon-traversing cavity 84 are arranged in the matrix 80 to receive theinserts 81, 82, respectively. Preferably, the forms of the cavities 83,84 and of the inserts 81, 82 are the same or substantially the same.

[0064] Each of the inserts 81, 82 is shown in the form of an elongatedelement that extends continuously from the first intermediary zone 58 tothe second intermediary zone 62. Each of the inserts 81, 82 is orientedsubstantially along the length of the board 50. The first insert 81edges the first lateral edge 53. In comparison, the second insert 82edges the second lateral edge 54.

[0065] In a plane substantially parallel to the lower surface 55 or tothe upper surface 56, according to FIG. 5, each insert 81, 82 has ends85, 86, 87, 88 that are relatively narrow, and a center 89, 90 that iswider than the ends, respectively. This allows, along the board 50, avariation in the capability of the board to store and return energyalong a transverse direction. The storage and return are greater wherethe inserts 81, 82 are wider, in this case, in the central zone 11between the user's feet.

[0066] In the direction of the height of the board 50, according to FIG.6, the thickness of each insert 81, 82 is preferably substantiallyconstant. This makes it easier to manufacture.

[0067] Each of the inserts 81 82 takes support on the firstreinforcement 71, on the side of the sole 70. This allows for eachinsert to be as close as possible to the sole. Consequently, during alateral edge setting, an insert 81, 82 receives a portion of thesteering forces.

[0068] As structured, the board 50 according to the second embodiment isadapted to a steering that requires precise edge settings. The lateralarrangement of the inserts 81, 82 promotes a precise negotiating of theboard 50 in a curve, particularly on hard ground, such as packed or icysnow.

[0069] The materials and manufacturing processes that are used for theboard 50 according to the second embodiment are identical or similar tothose used for the board 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0070] The third embodiment of the invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0071] For reasons of convenience, it is essentially the differenceswith respect to the other examples that are shown. In this thirdembodiment, an insert is centrally arranged in the longitudinaldirection.

[0072] A board 100 extends longitudinally between a first end 101 and asecond end 102, transversely between a first lateral edge 103 and asecond lateral edge 104, and in height, between a lower surface 105 andan upper surface 106.

[0073] Again, the board 100 has, from the first end 101 to the secondend 102, a first end zone 107, a first intermediary zone 108, a firstreceiving zone 109, a central zone 110, a second receiving zone 111, asecond intermediary zone 112, and a second end zone 113.

[0074] The board 100 preferably has, in height, a sole 120, a firstreinforcement 121, a core 122, a second reinforcement 123, and aprotective layer 124.

[0075] According to the invention, the core 122 of the third embodimenthas a matrix 130 made from a filler material, an insert 131 being housedin the matrix 130, the insert 131 having at least a mechanical propertygreater than that of the matrix. The insert 131 is arranged centrally inthe longitudinal direction. A non-traversing cavity 132 is provided inthe matrix 130 to receive the insert 131. Preferably, the forms of thecavity 132 and of the insert 131 are substantially the same; in thiscase, they are parallelepipedic. The cavity 132 opens out on the side ofthe first, reinforcement 121.

[0076] At least one groove 133 is provided in the matrix 130. Eachgroove 133 preferably faces the insert 131. Each groove 133 preferablyextends along the longitudinal direction of the board. Each groove 133defines a closed space occupied by a gas, such as air. This spacecreates a decrease in the weight of the board.

[0077] Generally speaking, the boards 1, 50, 100 according to theinvention are manufactured from materials and according to techniquesknown to one skilled in the art.

[0078] the invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsspecifically described above, the invention including all technicalequivalents that can come within the scope of the following claims.

[0079] For example, each insert can have various forms. An insert can besymmetrical or asymmetrical along a transverse axis of the board.Likewise, an insert can be symmetrical or asymmetrical along alongitudinal axis of the board.

[0080] Several inserts of the same board can have various forms. Thisallows differentiating the mechanical properties of various parts of theboard, laterally and/or longitudinally.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gliding or rolling board comprising: a lengthmeasured along a longitudinal direction between a first end and a secondend; a width measured between a first edge and a second edge; a heightmeasured between a lower or gliding surface and an upper surface;height-wise, the board includes a first reinforcement, a secondreinforcement, and at least one core located between the firstreinforcement and the second reinforcement; length-wise, the boardincludes a first end zone, a first intermediary zone, a first receivingzone, a central zone, a second receiving zone, a second intermediaryzone, and a second end zone; the core having a matrix comprising afiller material, the matrix having at least one cavity, at least oneinsert housed in the cavity of the matrix in a predetermined zone of theboard, the insert having at least one mechanical property greater thanthat of the matrix, said property being at least one of tensilestrength, compressive strength, bending strength, elastic limit, orother mechanical property, so as to locally improve mechanicalproperties of the board.
 2. A board according to claim 1, wherein: eachsaid insert has an elongated shape and being oriented substantiallyalong the longitudinal direction of the board.
 3. A board according toclaim 1, wherein: said at least one insert comprises an insert locatedsubstantially half-way between the first and second lateral edges.
 4. Aboard according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one insert comprisesan insert extending continuously from the first receiving zone to thesecond receiving zone.
 5. A board according to claim 1 wherein: athrough cavity is arranged in the matrix to receive said insert of saidat least one insert, said insert connecting together said firstreinforcement and said second reinforcement.
 6. A board according toclaim 1, wherein: in a plane substantially parallel to the lower surfaceor to the upper surface, an insert of said at least one insert has arectangular cross-section; and in a transverse plane substantiallyperpendicular to the lower surface or to the upper surface, said inserthas a rectangular cross-section.
 7. A board according to claim 1,wherein: in a longitudinal plane substantially perpendicular to thelower surface or to the upper surface, an insert of said at least oneinsert has a corrugated surface.
 8. A board according to claim 1,wherein: an insert of said at least one insert has a parallelepipedicshape.
 9. A board according to claim 1, wherein: an insert of said atleast one insert is housed in a non-traversing cavity of the matrix. 10.A board according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one insertcomprises at least a first lateral insert and a second lateral insert.11. A board according to claim 1, wherein: each insert of said at leastone insert extends continuously from the first intermediary zone to thesecond intermediary zone, a first and second non-traversing cavitiesbeing housed in the matrix to receive the inserts, respectively.
 12. Aboard according to claim 1, wherein: each insert of said at least oneinsert has a substantially constant thickness; and each insert of saidat least one insert has relatively narrow ends and a center wider than awidth of said narrow ends.
 13. A board according to claim 1, wherein: atleast one groove is provided in the matrix.
 14. A board according toclaim 1, wherein: the matrix is made from a plastic foam; and the insertis made from wood.
 15. A process for manufacturing a gliding or rollingboard, the process comprises: manufacturing a core; assemblingconstituent parts of the board; said manufacturing of a core comprisesarranging at least one insert in a mold shaped like the core, thenmaking a matrix by injecting plastic foam into the mold, the foamextending around the insert to form the core therewith.